Fort Smith History Comes To Life At Tales Of The Crypt

Fort Smith History Comes To Life At Tales Of The Crypt

TIMES RECORD FILE PHOTO Michael Richardson, who is seen here during the 2012 Tales of the Crypt event, will direct this year’s Tales of the Crypt, which will be at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. April 26 and at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. April 27 at Oak Cemetery, 1401 S. Greenwood Road. The free, all-ages event features portrayals of various historical characters.

Fort Smith History Comes To Life At Tales Of The Crypt

Jamie Mitchell Times Record - Reggie Moore portrays long-time Fort Smith barber, Bert Stewart, during the "Tales of the Crypt," walking tour, Sunday, April 28, 2013, at Oak Cemetery. Stewart was the proprietor of the barbershop in Peacock Alley. Hosted by the Oak Cemetery Commission and the City of Fort Smith, the theatrical event brings light to many of Fort Smith's most notable citizens of the past.

Fort Smith History Comes To Life At Tales Of The Crypt

Carrol Copeland TIMES RECORD Joe Miller portrays John Childers, an outlaw executed in 1873 and buried at Oak Cemetery. Ten individuals took on the roles of people who are buried at the cemetery and gave visitors a brief history of their lives during Tales of the Crypt. About 350 people spent time learning about history Sunday afternoon.

Fast Facts

Tales of the Crypt 2014

When: 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. April 26 and 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. April 27

Where: Oak Cemetery, 1401 S. Greenwood

The free, all-ages event includes character portrayals of historic area individuals. Parking for the rain-or-shine event will be available at Ballman Elementary School, Creekmore Park and along South 31st Street. Shuttle buses run.

One Fort Smith tradition is expanding to be a two-day, history-filled affair.

Tales of the Crypt 2014 will be at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. April 26 and at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. April 27 at Oak Cemetery, 1401 S. Greenwood. The event will bring Fort Smith’s colorful past front and center, said Michael Richardson, event director.

“Tales of the Crypt is something I’ve been proud to be involved with, having directed most of them over the last 15 years or so, and we’re excited about this year’s event,” he said. “This year, we are also doing it on a Saturday night, on April 26, so it will be something new that will be seen and heard by torchlight.

“Having something at night with torchlight does turn the clock back in your mind,” Richardson added. “It will create a whole new atmosphere for the April 26 event, while we will continue to do it in daylight April 27.”

This year’s Tales of the Crypt also marks the first time students from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith’s Historical Interpretation Program have participated in a major way, he said.

“It’s exciting because those students are taking over, doing the research, writing the scripts and doing all of the portrayals now,” Richardson said. “A lot of the original researchers, writers and historians dedicated to this have either passed away or have gotten older and are with health issues, so some of them weren’t really able to keep this going. The students at UAFS now can help.”

Alice Eads, the first deputy marshal, and community activist/socialite Rebecca Barling also will be portrayed during the event, which could draw more than 2,000 area residents and visitors.

“It’s great because quite a few people from out of town attend, and people are amazed to hear these stories,” Richardson said. “The wonderful thing about Tales of the Crypt is, we don’t just feature the well-known and famous. We also tell the everyday person’s story, and sometimes those stories are even more interesting.”